Amphetamine is a stimulant prescription drug that is known to increase wakefulness and focus while decreasing appetite, among other affects. Amphetamines include prescription drugs such as Dexedrine, Desoxyn, and Ritalin. On the street these drugs may be called any of these names:
- Speed
- Bennies
- Black Beauties
- Uppers
- Eye-openers
- White crosses or double crosses
- Cartwheels
Amphetamines produce a euphoric and general feeling of well-being that can lead to a physical and psychological addiction.
Addiction to amphetamine can have many short term and long term negative effects on a person’s life. People can become completely consumed with taking the drug. Physical, mental, financial, and social consequences become increasingly worse, but addicts are not able to quit even when they want to.
What Are the Effects of Amphetamine Addiction?
The following are the physical effects of having a dependency or addiction to amphetamine:
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Feelings of general well-being
- Hallucinations
- Irritability and mood swings
- Paranoia
- Ravenous appetite
- Sleep disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Excessive sweating
- Headache
- Lethargy and fatigue
- Muscle and stomach cramps
- Tremors
A person that is addicted to amphetamines may also have psychotic episodes.
What Are the Risks of Amphetamine Addiction?
Long term use of amphetamines can create a tolerance to the drug so that you have to keep increasing your dose to achieve the same effect. The health risks involved with long term amphetamine use are as follows:
- Increases strain on the heart
- Increases blood pressure
- Increased risk for heart disease, heart failure and stroke
Abusing amphetamines can also result in paranoia and nervous tension. It is also common to feel depression and lasting fatigue after the effects of the drug wear off. Heavy users battle with suicidal lows and can fall into a deep sleep that can last up to 24 hours. This causes users to desire to take more and more, which is how addictions are formed.
Are You Addicted to Amphetamines?
- Are you using an amphetamine such as speed regularly?
- Do you constantly think about how and when you will use the drug again?
- Are you having problems with friends and family and do you feel isolated?
- Are you having financial or legal problems caused by drug use?
- Are you having trouble sleeping?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, it is very possible that you are addicted to amphetamine and should seek help.
What Type of Help is Available for Amphetamine Addiction?
Treatment for addiction to prescription stimulants such as amphetamine usually begins with detox. The patient till be gradually tapered off the drug’s dose to detoxify the body of the drug. During this time, withdrawal symptoms will be monitored and treated if need be.
Next a patient will begin behavioral therapies that address the psychological affects of addiction. There are many different methods, such as cognitive-behavioral intervention which helps the patient modify their thinking, expectations, and behaviors. It also gives them tools for coping with various life stressors and situations which led them to drug addiction in the first place. Support groups and counseling may also be part of a patient’s behavioral therapy.
There are many options for treatment that can end your addiction to drugs once and for all. There are thousands of people who have been addicted to amphetamine but now live normal lives free from any addiction.